How to use During, For and While

The prepositions during, for, and while are often used with time time expressions. Let's take a look at the difference in usage between during, for, and while.

How to use during

during is a preposition which is used before a noun (during + noun) to say when something happens. It does not tell us how long it happened. For example:

"Nobody spoke during the presentation."

"We get plenty of snow here during the winter."

How to use while

When is used to talk about two things that are happening at the same time. The length of time is not important. Remember that while is used with a subject and a verb (while + subject + verb). For example:

"The phone rang while I was watching TV."

"I met him while we were studying in the library."

How to use for

For is a preposition which is used with a period to say how long something goes on:

"Simon has been sleeping for 8 hours."

"We waited for 30 minutes outside your house."

Link: Prepositions + '-ing'

• I've been meaning to call you ___ some time.
  
  for
  during
  while
  
  
• He fell asleep ___ the meeting.
  
  for
  during
  while
  
  
• We all stayed inside ___ the storm.
  
  for
  during
  while
  
  
• Someone stole my bag ___ I was riding on the train.
  
  for
  during
  while
  
  
• The dog was barking ___ she was trying to watch TV.
  
  during
  for
  while
  
  
• Please don't smoke ___ I'm eating.
  
  during
  for
  while
  
  
• Bats sleep ___ the day.
  
  while
  during
  for
  
  
• They've been out of the office ___ ages.
  
  while
  during
  for
  
  
• He kept talking to me ___ I was trying to read.
  
  for
  while
  during
  
  
• His mobile-phone rang twice ___ the film.
  
  during
  for
  while